Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower briefs members of the 101st Airborne Division in the hours just before they were dropped into France as the opening assault of D-Day, 6 June 1944. The photo was taken at the airfield in Newbury England on 5 June.

Basic Facts for KidsWorld War Two in Europe began on 3rd September 1939, when the Prime Minister of Britain, Neville Chamberlain, declared war on Germany. It involved many of the world's countries. Main Cause of World War II: The Second World War was started by Germany in an unprovoked attack on Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany after Hitler had refused to abort his invasion of Poland. World War II began September 3, 1939.Allies:U.S., Britain, France, USSR, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, YugoslaviaAxis Powers:Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, BulgariaWorld War II TimelineSeptember 1939: Germany invades Poland, starting World War II. Britain and France declare war on Germany. April 1940: Germany invades Norway and Denmark.May 1940: Germany invades Belgium and the Netherlands.July 1940: Germany begins bombing Britain.June 1941: Germany invades the Soviet Union.December 1941: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. The U.S. declares war on Japan.February 1942: Japan captures Singapore.May 1942: Japan captures the Philippines and Burma.June 1942: The tide turns — the Allies defeat Japan in the Battle of Midway.February 1943: German troops surrender in Stalingrad, USSR.May 1943: Axis troops in northern Africa surrender.September 1943: Italy surrenders.November 1943: U.S. forces invade Tarawa.June 1944: D-day: Allied troops land in France and begin invasion.October 1944: Japan's navy is defeated near the Philippines.December 1944: Germans fight back in Battle of the Bulge.March 1945: Allied troops capture Iwo Jima.May 1945: Germany surrenders, ending World War II in Europe.August 1945: Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.September 1945: Japan signs surrender agreement, ending war.